Mikel Arteta says Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has not suffered an injury against Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with a controversial red card to Declan Rice proving costly in the end as the visitors drew level after the English midfielder was sent off for a second booking.
The Gunners face Tottenham Hotspur next after the international break on September 15, and it appeared they were dealt another injury blow after Jurrien Timber was replaced in the 80th minute after a knock to his right knee forced him off.
However, the Netherlands international is fine, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on the incident, revealing Timber has not sustained an injury,
“He was cramping,” the Gunners boss said after the game.
“He got a kick so we had to take him off. No injury.”
It is good news given the concerns the fitness of the Dutchman has given Arsenal since joining them from Ajax last summer.
Timber spent almost the entire of last season out injured after picking up a knock on the opening day of the campaign and requiring surgery, only returning on the last day of the season against Everton.
He featured in pre-season but struggled with a load-bearing injury and missed the friendly games against Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
Timber came off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day of the campaign before starting against Aston Villa last weekend.
The 23-year-old put in a solid performance against the Villans at left-back and was rewarded with a start today before Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced him with 10 minutes remaining.
The Gunners will be desperate to bounce back with a win against Spurs away from home when Premier League action resumes after the break, and Timber is expected to retain his spot in the starting XI.
